Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 6.42 | Nov 4 2014

MicroRNA-320/RUNX2 Axis Regulates Adipocytic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal (Skeletal) Stem Cells
Researchers performed global microRNA (miRNA) and gene expression profiling during adipocytic differentiation of human mesenchymal (skeletal or stromal) stem cells, and utilized bioinformatics as well as functional and biochemical assays, and identified several novel miRNAs differentially expressed during adipogenesis.
[Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Prospective Heterotopic Ossification Progenitors in Adult Human Skeletal Muscle
Adherent cells from freshly digested skeletal muscle tissue were expanded in defined culture medium and were FACS-enriched for the CD73⁺CD105⁺CD90⁻ population, which displayed robust multilineage potential. In addition to differentiating into typical heterotopic ossification lineages, human muscle resident mesenchymal stromal cells also differentiated into brown adipocytes expressing uncoupling protein 1. [Bone] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Angiogenesis and Follicle Survival in Human Cryopreserved Ovarian Cortex Transplantation
Scientists show that human mesenchymal stem cells could enhance the expression level of VEGF, FGF2 and especially the level of angiogenin, significantly stimulate neovascularization and increase blood perfusion of the grafts in the cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Matrix Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Neural-Like Progenitor Cells and Maturation into an Oligodendroglial-Like Lineage
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from the umbilical cord matrix (Wharton’s jelly) of human umbilical cord samples. The cells were thoroughly characterized and confirmed as bona-fide MSCs, presenting in vitro low generation time, high proliferative and colony-forming unit-fibroblast capacity, typical MSC immunophenotype and osteogenic, and chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Modification Enhances the Anti-Arrhythmic Properties of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The authors determined whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) carrying a hepatocyte growth factor gene modification decreased the levels of arrhythmogenic substrates and reduced the susceptibility to developing ventricular arrhythmia compared with unmodified MSCs and phosphate buffer solution in a swine infarction model. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Key Role of PML in IFN-α Induced Cellular Senescence of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Scientists investigated the effects of interferon α (IFN-α) on human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) and defined the role of PML involved in this process. Their results suggested that hMSCs incurred senescence upon IFN-α stimulation, while PML levels were observed significant increased. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Generation of Human β-Thalassemia Induced Pluripotent Cell Lines by Reprogramming of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Using Modified mRNA
Synthetic modified mRNA molecules encoding pluripotency transcription factors have been used successfully in reprogramming human fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Researchers have applied this method on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from a patient with β-thalassemia (β-thal) with the aim to generate transgene-free β-thal-iPSCs. [Cell Reprogram] Abstract

Low/Negative Expression of PDGFR-α Identifies the Candidate Primary Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Adult Human Bone Marrow
Scientists show that low/negative expression of CD140a (PDGFR-α) on lin⁻/CD45⁻/CD271⁺ bone marrow cells identified a cell population with very high mesenchymal stromal cells activity, measured as fibroblastic colony-forming unit frequency and typical in vitro and in vivo stroma formation and differentiation capacities.
[Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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UT Arlington Researcher Uses Microscaffolding Injections to Mend Cartilage, Prevent Osteoarthritis
A UT Arlington bioengineering professor has received a $1.04 million grant from the U.S. Army that aims to regenerate cartilage tissue and reduce osteoarthritis using a patient’s own stem cells, spurred through the injection of microscaffolding made of biodegradable polymers. [The University of Texas at Arlington]
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Postdoctoral Position – Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (IRSN – French Nuclear Safety Institute)

Assistant/Associate Research Scientist – Bone Healing and Metabolism (New York University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research (Western University)

Quality Improvement Coordinator – Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Research Associate Position – Skeletal Research Center (Case Western Reserve University)

PhD Studentship – Biophysics and Mechanics of Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Scientist – Myogenic Progenitor Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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